Your eyes are often the first things people notice and an essential aspect of your overall appearance. Young eyelid skin is smooth, but the eyelid skin stretches, the fat bulges, and the muscles weaken over time. As a result, the eyebrows may also droop and sag (brow ptosis). Age, heredity, and sun exposure all contribute to this process. Loose or baggy lids detract from your overall appearance and make you look tired or older. When the brow droops, it crowds more skin down over the upper lids and exaggerates the hooding and crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes, making you look sad, tired, or angry. In addition, the upper eyelid skin may hang over the lashes and obstruct peripheral vision when severe enough.
Eyelid surgery can provide one or a combination of the following improvements:
-Opening the upper eye area
-Reducing puffy under-eye bags
-Removing loose skin and fat deposits on the upper or lower eyelids
-Improving peripheral vision obstructed by upper eyelid hooding
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is an effective procedure that removes excess skin and repositions fat from your upper eyelids, restoring your eyes’ bright, youthful look. A small incision is made on the upper eyelid, and the excess skin and fat pads are gently removed. The wound is closed with fine sutures that the surgeon places along the natural lines or creases of the eyelid to hide any scarring. This procedure can be done in an outpatient surgical facility or the office. The surgeon will numb the upper eyelids with a numbing injection, and the procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is an excellent procedure that removes excess fatty tissue from your lower eyelids. This procedure is typically scarless because the doctor can make the incision on the inside of the eyelid, avoiding any incisions on the skin and face. In addition, the doctor will carefully remove excess fatty tissue to restore a more youthful and rested appearance. Your doctor may also recommend a skin tightening procedure with your lower eyelid blepharoplasty to improve your lower eyelids’ fine lines and wrinkles.
The procedure is done at an outpatient surgical facility with local anesthesia (numbing injection) and a light sedative (we don’t have to put you fully to sleep). You are generally very relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. A nurse anesthetist will be with you during the procedure to help ensure your safety and comfort. The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
Eyebrow lift
Our eyebrows tend to droop far below their natural position as we age. This results in crowding of the upper eyelids and the formation of lines around the eyes, especially horizontal lines adjacent to the eyes called crow’s feet. An eyebrow lift is an effective procedure to correct these issues.
The surgeon will lift the eyebrows to a higher, more natural, and youthful position during an eyebrow lift. This procedure will not result in scars on the face, eyebrows, or eyelids. Instead, your surgeon will make incisions behind your hairline to hide any visible scars from the surgery. The procedure is done at an outpatient surgical facility with local anesthesia (numbing injection) and a light sedative. You are generally very relaxed and comfortable. An anesthesiologist will be with you during the procedure to help ensure your safety and comfort. The procedure takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Many patients have enjoyed good results from eyebrow and forehead lifts for decades.
EyeHealth Northwest Oculoplastics specialists Dr. Prashanth Vallabhanath, Dr. Francisco Castillo, and Dr. Bryce Radmall received specialized training in plastic surgery that occurs around the eyes. Call us to schedule a consultation at 503 557 2020. Or request a consultation online if you are interested in learning more about eyelid surgeries and treatments.
